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I 217 3 

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A BOY'S PROPOSAL 



H Xtttie Corners in ©ne Bet 



BY 



ARTHUR ECKERSLEY 



Copyright, 1909, by Arthur Eckersley 



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No. 172 I 

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A BOY'S PROPOSAL 



H little Cornet^ in ©ne act 



BY 



ARTHUR ECKERSLEY 



Copyright, 1909, by Arthur Eckersley 



CAUTION.— All persons are hereby warned that "A Boy's Proposal,'- 
being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United 
States, is subject to royalty; and any one presenting the play without 
the consent of the author, or his authorized agent, will be liable 
to the penalties by law provided. Application for sta^e rights must 
be made to SAMUEL FRENCH, 24 West 22 d St., New York City. 

All rights reserved 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

24 WEST 221) STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



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©Cl.0 W 4 



Produced at the Adelphi Theatre, Lor.don, on Monday, March 
29, 1909, with the following cast. 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 



CHARACTERS. 

Mr. Augustus Sheringham. (a 

bachelor) Mr. Hubert Willis 

Tom (his nephew, aged 14) . . Master Philip Tonge 
Lady Pilkington (a widow) . . . Miss May Chevalier 
Dean . . , Mr. P. L. Julian 

Scene. — Lady Pilkington's drawing-room. -Time : 
an afternoon in June. A pleasant, handsomely fur- 
nished room, very feminine and dainty. Flowers 
everywhere, r. in flat a door giving into hall. L. 2 e. 
another door to boudoir. Window r. 2 e. In the 
left upper angle of the room a fireplace with bell 
beside it. Sofa down stage r. c. below window. Easy- 
chair l. c. Small chair c. Tea-table, and wicker 
cake stand with cakes, etc., r. c. above corner of sofa, 
subsequently moved by Dean down to L. c. beside 
chair. Writing-table up c. against back wall. Various 
small tables and chairs. 

N. B. — The directions are given for the right and 
left of the performers, not the audience. 



PROPERTIES. 

Usual drawing-room furniture to include sofa and 
easy-chair. 
Tea-table. 

Cake-stand with cakes and bread and butter. 
Tea-things for three on trav. 
3 ' 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL, 



Dish of hot toast. 

Writing-table. 

Bell, beside fireplace. 



HAND PROPERTIES. 

Letter for Sheringham. 

Watch for Tom. 

Letter in writing-table for Lad)' Pilkington. 

Cab-whistle (off). 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 



Scene — Drawing-Room of Lady Pilkingtoris Flat in 
Shane Gardens. Time about 4. p. m. As the cur- 
tain rises, Dean, a genial, elderly butler, enters 
r. c. showing in Mr. Sheringham. Mr. Sher- 
ingham is a florid portly little gentleman about 40, 
dressed in the height of afternoon-calling fashion. 
At present he appears much agitated.) 

Dean. We expect her ladyship back every 
moment, sir. Will you kindly take a seat, and I'll tell 
her directly she comes in. 

Sheringham. Thank you. (coming down) If you 

will be so good. Tell her that Mr. {Looking about 

him anxiously) 

Dean, (smiling) I know the name, Mr. Shering- 
ham. 

Sheringham. Ah! of course, of course, Dean. I 
didn't recognise you for the moment. I am a little 
upset! (testily) Where on earth is that boy ? 

Dean. The little gentleman stopped in the Hall to 
look at something, sir. 

Sheringham. Tutt I Tutt ! (calling) Tom! Tom! 

Tom. (outside) All right, (he appears in door- 
way) I say, Uncle Gus, there's such a spiffing sword 
out here. 

Dean, (beaming) Ah, that was one of the late 
Sir Geoffrey's swords, sir. 

Tom. (to him) Can I get it down ? 

Dean, (a little scandalized) Well, sir, we must see 
what her ladyship has to say to that* 

5 



6 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Sheringham. {interposing angrily) Nonsense t 
Of course you can do no such thing. Come in at 
once. 

Tom. {entering) All right. You needn't get 
shirty, I asked. 

Dean. Perhaps, sir, the young gentleman would 
like a piece of cake while he is waiting. I'm sure my 
lady would wish it. {hands eake-stand r. c. to Tom). 

Sheringham. Thank you. No. The young 
gentleman would like nothing of the kind. 

Tom. {taking cake) I say, Uncle Gus, you do tell 
'em. {very politely to Dean) Thank you very much. 

Dean. {delighted with him) Thank you, sir. 
There's nothing in it to hurt, Mr. Sheringham. I'll 
tell her ladyship directly she returns. ,{exit r. c) 

Sheringham. (lOalking tip and down furious) 
Upon my word, sir. Upon my word ! You seem to 
have absolutely no sense whatever of the position in 
which we at present stand. 

Tom. {munching cake. Seated on sofa R. c.) You 
stand. 

Sheringham. Don't prevaricate. If you are un- 
able to appreciate the consequences of what you have 
done, you might at least have the decency to assume 
regret, {threateningly) And let me tell you, sir, that 
before I have finished with this affair you will have no 
difficulty in doing so. 

Tom. {sulkily) I've said I'm sorry. 

Sheringham. Sorry ! Bah ! 

Tom. I don't know what more I could be. 

Sheringham. You have committed deliberate 
forgery. 

Tom {rises) I only meant it as a joke. 

Sheringham. A joke, sir, for which older and — er 
— wiser men than you have been transported. How- 
ever {with resignation') I knew how it would end. 
Ever since you developed that pernicious practice of 
imitating other people's handwriting I have prophesied 
that it would lead to disaster. It has brought us — to 
this. 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. f 

Tom. It wouldn't have brought me if I'd known 
where you were coining. 

Sheringham. Ah ! It was for that very reason 
that I informed your head-master merely that I wished 
to take you out for a half-holiday. 

Tom. Sneak! If I'd known I'd have been bilious. 

Sheringham, Silence, sir, and why have I brought 
you here — ? 

Tom. (sulky) Oh, I know. To apologise. 

Sheringham. To apologise to the Lady whom 
your impudent forgery has so grievously insulted. 
(magnanimously) I say nothing about the injury to 
myself. 

Tom. No. {reflectively) You said that part in the 
cab. 

Sheringham. Directly I received her letter I knew 
of whose abominable trickery it was the outcome. 
{takes out letter and adjusts glasses) 

Tom. {eyeing letter with apprehension) Oh, Uncle 
Gus — you've read it twice to me already. 

Sheringham. (glares at him) Then I shall read 
it a third time. Perhaps— I say perhaps — it may help 
you to realise the enormity of your offence, (reads) 

" Dear Mr. Sheringham, 

" Your letter only reached me this morning, but I 
am obeying your wish and replying to it with as little 
delay as possible. Perhaps it is unnecessary for me to 
say " — oh — (speaks) — er — that does not concern you — 
11 But while fully sensible of the worth of what I re- 
nounce you must forgive me if it cannot be as your 
wish." — er — (skips) — " permit me, however, to remain 
as before, 

" Your sincere and attached friend, 

" Annette Pii.kincton." 

There ! (severely to Tom, who is endeavouring to 
stifle a grin) That, sir, is the answer to a proposal, a 
proposal of marriage, which, as you know perfectly 
well, I never sent. It's fortunate that the conse- 
quence was — er — no worse ! 



% A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Tom. Well, as it wasn't, what's the harm ? She 
needn't ever know you didn't ask her. 

Sheringham. On the contrary, sir, that is precisely 
why we are here. In — in justice to myself I am now 
faced with the delicate, the disagreeable, the incredi- 
bly painful task of telling her so. 

Tom. Wouldn't you do that better alone ? 

Sheringham. I intend to do it alone, sir, — at least 
in the presence of Lady Pilkington. You will retire 
to an adjoining room. Afterwards, however, I shall 
demand from you the fullest possible apology to us 
both. 

Tom. Well, if I must, I must. I say, Uncle, I'd like 
to hear you explaining. 

Sheringham. Tcht. 

Tom. I suppose this makes it all gee-bust with that 
air-gun ? 

Sheringham. What air-gun ? 

Tom. The one I was going to want for my next 
birthday — when you asked me. 

Sheringham. Decidedly, sir ! I wonder you have 
the impertinence to mention it. After what has hap- 
pened all questions of birthday-presents between us is 
emphatically — as you put it — Gee-bust. 

Tom. 1 thought it would be. Anyway I wish she'd 
hurry up and get the thing over. 

Sheringham. Ah ! You are at length beginning 
to appreciate the position. 

Tom. I only meant, so as we could have tea after- 
wards. 

Sheringham. (indignant) Tea 1 Upon my word, 
sir, you are incredible I At such a moment you can 
think of tea ! All I can say is your up-bringing has 
been peculiar. Time upon time I have warned your 
mother. My only regret is that this last exploit must 
of course be kept — ah — strictly private. 

Tom. Yes. It would make you look rather silly, 
Uncle Gus, wouldn't it ? 

Sheringham. Nothing of the sort, sir! I am un- 
willing to cause your mother pain, that is all. 



A BOYS PROPOSAL. 9 

ToM (rises, surveying room) I swear, this is a rip- 
ping room. 

Sheringham. {shortly) Naturally. Lady Pilking- 
ton is a woman of taste and refinement, for whom I 
have the highest regard. A fact which makes my 
present situation all the more appalling. 

Tom. Must be pretty well off, too, isn't she ? 

Sheringham. What has that to do with you? 

Tom. Nothing. Only I was thinking it was almost 
a pity she wouldn't have you. 

Sheringham. Hold your tongue, sir! 

Tom. (reflectively) I'm sure it was a nice enough 
letter. 

Sheringham. Ah ! That's it ! That's what I want 
to know, word for word, (with an outburst) What 
the Devil you said ! 

Tom. I don't think Mother would like me to hear 
words like Devil. 

Sheringham. You !— (words fail him) Tom, I 
ask you, as a personal favour, to tell me exactly what 
my letter to Lady Pilkington contained. 

Tom. I can't remember exactly. 

Sheringham. Was it the sort of letter I might have 
written ? 

Tom. You might have written, yes. Only you were 
such a precious long time about it that I thought I'd 
hurry it up. 

Sheringham. Cht ! Cht ! It's quite true that 
Lady Pilkington and I are old friends. I might have 
written to her any time these ten years — only somehow 
I didn't. And now you rush in with this proposal of 
yours. Probably most indelicately expressed. My 
wonder is that Lady Pilkington replied to it at all. 

Tom. Why ? It was all right. 

Sheringham. All right ? 

Tom. Yes. I got bits of it out of a book I'm 
reading. 

Sheringham. What book? 

Tom. Oh, a ripping one! "The Mystery of 
Blood ! " it's called, " Or The Pirate's Bride." 



10 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Sheringham {horror-struck) The Pirate's Bride ! 
Great Heavens ! 

Tom. What's wrong with that ? Do keep your hair 
on ! 

Sheringham {furious) I shall not — er — keep my 
hair on, sir. I never — ssh ! Was that a carriage 
stopped outside ? 

Tom. {going to window) Yes. There's a lady get- 
ting out. 

Sheringham. {nervously) What sort of a lady ? 

Tom. Oh, just an ordinary sort. Rather decent 
looking, with grey hair and feathers. 

Sheringham. Lady Pilkington ! {in an agony of 
appi'ehension) Could any situation be more em- 
barrassing? 

Tom {leaving window) Well, what d'you want me 
to do ? 

Sheringham. Listen. I shall suggest that you 
leave us alone for ten minutes. When you return you 
will be prepared with an ample apology, in your own 
words. You understand ? Meanwhile I shall endeav- 
our to explain. 

Tom. I swear, I am sorry to miss that ! 

Sheringham. Hold your tongue, sir ! How dare — 
(he stops abn/ptly as the door r. c. opens and Lady 
Pilkington comes quickly into the room. A pretty, well- 
preserved widow of about 35, fashionably dressed in out- 
door garments.) 

Lady Pilkington. Ah ! Dean told me I should 
find you here {gives hint her hand) I'm so sorry you 
had to wait, (as she observes Tom) Not alone ? 

Sheringham (constrained) No. My nephew 
Tom. Mary's eldest. He — ah — accompanied me. 

Lady Pilkington (ivith a quick look of gratitude) 
How thoughtful of you ! (crosses to Tom) So you 
came with Uncle to see his old friend. That was 
nice. 

Tom. (evasively) Not at all. 

Lady Pilkington. (moving towards bell) Now 
let me ring for tea. 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. u 

Sheringham. Ah! One moment! Lady Pilking- 
ton, I have — er — a trifling request to make. 

Lady Pilkington. (pausing) Indeed ? 

Sheringham. Will you forgive me if I ask for two 
words with you alone? 

Lady Pilkington. Alone? 

Sheringham. Yes. I thought if the boy could 
step into another room — 

Lady Pilkington. {a Utile puzzled) Oh, certainly. 
There's my boudoir in here (indicates door l.) 

Sheringham. The very thing. 

Lady Pilkington. You wouldn't mind, would you, 
dear, waiting in there for — (looks inquiringly at Sher- 
ingham.) 

Sheringham. Ten minutes. 

Lady Pilkington. Ten minutes. There are some 
jolly books, — and battle pictures. 

Tom. Oh, thank you. I shan't be a bit dull ! (cross 
to door, pause) "Good luck, Uncle Gus." Exit L.) 

(A slight pause, Lady Pilkington and Mr. Shering- 
ham left atone, stand embarrassed for a moment.) 

Lady Pikington. Won't you sit down ? 

Sheringham. Er — Thank you. They sit. Sher- 
ingham on sofa r. c. Lady Pilkington easy-chair 
l. c. Pause.) 

Lady Pilkington. What a delightful little fellow; 
so bright and original. 

Sheringham. Yes, very original. Lady Pilkington 
{constrainedly) You are no doubt wondering what can 
have been my reason for bringing the boy here this 
afternoon. 

Lady Pilkington. No. I know it already, 

Sheringham. (startled) Eh? 

Lady Pilkingion. 'You feared lest after what has 
happened we should not meet alone without embarrass- 
ment. It was like your kind self to think of it. 

Sheringham. Ah! Precisely. (tries again) ' I 
gather that you were not altogether unprepared for my 
visit. 



12 A^BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Lady Pilkington (mrvmtsly) I thought it possible 
you would come. 

Sheringham. {equally nervously) The fact is, 
Lady Pilkington, I have a little explanation that it is 
perhaps due to myself that I should make, {pause) 
It is — ah — about that letter. 

Lady Pilkington. My dear friend, surely no 
explanation is needed. The letter itself was enough. 
It told me everything. 

SherIngham. Oh, did it ? (awkwardly) I mean, 
you've kept it ? {smiling) 

Lady Pilkington. You speak as though you were 
anxious to get it back. (A slight pause, then in a dif- 
ferent tone) But do not think I shall ever part with it. 

Sheringham. Why ? 

Lady Pilkington. You really ask me that ? 

Sheringham. Of course. 

Lady Pilkington. Because it made me more 
proud than anything I have ever read in my life. 

Sheringham. (uncertain how to take this) Indeed ? 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. (slightly agitated, rises, 
walks away from him and fingers roses in a bowl) To 
know, even though what you asked was impossible, 
that you had cared enough for me to ask it. Surely 
you can understand. 

Sheringham. (suddenly seeing from her tone that 
his errand is an impossibility. To himself) No. No. 
I can't ! I can't do it. 

Lady Pilkington. No. (turning) How then can 
I make it clearer ? 

Sheringham. No, not that. 1 was thinking of 
something else. I understand only too well, (roman- 
tically. Changes to easier ma?i7ier) You did not care 
for me. 

Lady Pilkington. Ah no, no ! Indeed you must 
not think that. 

Sheringham. And yet you refused me. 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. 

Sheringham. (curiously) But why ? I confess, 



A ROY'S PROPOSAL. in 

Annette, now that the whole matter is definitely over, 
I should at least like to know why. 

Lady Pilkinoion. {down again to l. rj.) I sup- 
pose you have a right to ask that. And yet — it is so 
difficult sometimes for a woman to explain her 
reasons. 

Sheringham. Bitt you gave no hint in your answer. 
If, as you say, it was not that I am personally distaste- 
ful to you — 

Lady Pilkington. Surely you must understand 
that it was not that. But — 

Sheringham, Yes ? 

Lady Pilkington. We have known each other too 
long, you and I, for any nonsense of sentiment. 

Sheringham. {enjoyi)ig himself immensely) Our 
engagement could have been the shorter. And so, 
Annette, for this — no reason-at-rtll, you have con- 
demned me to solitude. {sighs comfortably) Ah 
cruel ! Cruel ! 

Lady Pilkington. My dear friend, is it possible 
that you have not yet seen the absurdity of wishing to 
marry an old woman ? 

Sheringham. Old — Bah ! Perish the thought ! 
Y 7 ou have the advantage of me by years. 

Lady Pilkington. A man is different. A bachelor 
is a mere lad at sixty. 

Sheringham. Because he has never really lived. 

Lady Pilkington. Then {hesitates) Your views 
are not altered even now ? 

Sheringham. Can you ask it ? 

Lady Pilkington. And you still wish to hear my 
reason for replying to you as I did ? 

Sheringham. Naturally, to be sure. 

Lady Pilkington. Then I will tell you. It was 
because — having to answer you immediately — I wrote 
in such haste that perhaps — 

Sheringham. {encouragingly) Perhaps — ? 

Lady Pilkington. {softly) I did not wait to know 
mv own mind. And now, Augustus, my answer is 
"Yes." 



1J, A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Sheringham. {suddenly sitting bolt upright) What ? 

Lady Pilkington. Is it so strange ? The woman's 
privilege. I am an old woman, but not yet a wise 
one. Could you not see what has been making me so 
nervous ? 

Sheringham. {blankly) I— I see. 

Lady Pilkington. {crossing to him) Dear, how 
startled you look ! (coyly) If — if you too had re- 
gretted your decision, you should never have known. 

Sheringham. No ? 
' Lady Pilkington. (gives him her hand) No. 
That was my cunning, to rind out before I told you. 

Sheringham. Ah ! 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. You're going to marry a 
very cunning woman Augustus, (breaking off ') How 
we shall astonish people. 

Sheringham. Yes. It's a bit of a surprise — for 
everybody. 

Lady Pilkington. You and I engaged ! How 
strange that sounds ! I can hardly believe it even yet. 
It's all somehow like dream, isn't it ? 

Sheringham. Yes. (pinches himself in the leg) 
Ah! 

Lady Pilkington. What is it ? 

Sheringham. I was only pinching myself, that's 
all. 

Lady Pilkington. Foolish person. (pause) 
Augustus. 

Sheringham. Yes. 

Lady Pilkington. (embarrassed) Oh, nothing, 
nothing. 

Sheringham. (rousing himself) Won't you sit 
down — er — here ? 

Lady Pilkington. (seats herself L. of him on sofa) 
Now, Augustus, you mustn't think, just because you've 
bullied me into saying " yes," that there need be any 
foolishness between us. 

Sheringham. But — 
; Lady Pilkington. Perhaps, if you insist, one 
then. 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 15 

Sheringham. (kisses her diffidently on right cheek) 
Do you know, Annette, that you are quite remarkably 
pretty. 

Lady Pilkington. Flatterer ! 

Sheringham. It's perfectly true. I — I never 
noticed it before. 

Lady Pilkington. You've forgiven me, then. 

Sheringham. For what? (seated, left arm around 
her) 

Lady Pilkington, For playing with you as I did. 

Sheringham. Of course, of course. 

Lady Pilkington. Tell me, Augustus, (blissfully) 
What first determined you to write that letter ? 

Sheringham. (horrified at remembering Tom) That 
— letter ? 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. What's the matter? 
You look almost ill ! 

Sheringham. Nothing. Nothing. 1 — (he is in- 
terrupted by a noise of banging on the inside of door l.) 

Lady Pilkington. What's that ? (alarmed, look- 
ing towards Mr. Sheringham/^ an explanation) 

Sheringham. The boy. 

Lady Pilkington. Oh ! We forgot all about him 1 
How could we ? 

(Rises and moves quickly towards door.) 

Sheringham. (following her hastily) Perhaps I'd 
better just step into the other room first and acquaint 
him with what has happened. 

Lady Pilkington. No. (laughing) Don't. Let's 
see if he guesses anything. • 

Sheringham. (apprehensively) But indeed I think — 

Lady Pilkington. Silence ! I forbid you to say 
a word, (calls) Come in. 

(Enter Tom l. He comes in cautiously, looking from 
one to the other.) 

Tom. (showing watch) You've had eleven and a 
half minutes. 



10 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Lady Pilkington. (tightly) Yes. And one can 
Jiear a lot in eleven and a half minutes. 

Tom. /couldn't! (then penitently to he?') I say, 
are you very waxy ? 

Lady Pilkington. (buzzled) Waxy? 

Tom. Because I'm most awfully sorry, really. 

Lady Pilkington. I'm afraid I don't quite under- 
stand. Sorry, what for ? 

Sheringham. (bustling between them hastily in the 
endeavour to stifie Tom's disclosure) Oh, it's nothing, 
nothing. Some — er — childish peccadillo. We'll hear 
no more about it. 

Tom. But, Uncle Augustus, I've been thinking it 
over, and I clo truly want to apologise, me myself. 

Sheringham. Very well — er — that'll do. We ac- 
cept your apology, (in a furious aside to him) Be 
quiet I 

Lady Pilkington. But you forget. I am entirely 
in the dark. What is this terrible crime ? 

Sheringham. (laughing forcedly') Oh a trifle. 
Nothing of any consequence. Is it, Tom ? (mean- 
ingly to him) Nothing, I say, of any consequence. 

Tom. (puzzled) Well, you said the consequence 
might have been worse. 

Sheringham. Ah, precisely. That's enough about 
it. 

Lady Pilkington. But at least let me hear the 
offence. Don't be afraid to speak, dear. Have you 
(with an inspiration) broken something ? 

Sheringham. (catching at the idea) Yes, that's it. 
A — a little vase of some sort that stood — (vaguely) 
about here. He was afraid you might be very angry, 
and in short (finding Tom's eyes on him with an ex- 
pression of astonishment and reproof, he breaks off 
abruptly) I think we ought to be running away now. 

Lady Pilkington. Oh ! as if I could be vexed 
about a trifle like that, (glancing fondly at Shering- 
ham) especially to-day. {to Tom) You mustn't 
think any more about it. And now we'll have tea. 
(/// to bell l. and rings) 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 17 

Tom. But Uncle said — (crossing r.) 

Sheringham. Really, I think we must be going. 
i up after her, then turns to Tom, aside) Hold your 
tongue ! (holding out hand) Good-bye, Lady Pilking- 
ton. 

Lady Pilkington. Nonsense. Going already after 
— after what has happened. I refuse to hear of such a 
thing. Sit down both of you. (moves down l. c. 
Sheringham crosses down r. c.) 

Tom. (bewildered, c.) After what's happened ? 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. (to Sheringham) I 
think we must tell him now after all. (seated L. c.) 
Come here you hardened criminal (motions Tom to 
sit on ar?n of her chair) Tom, dear, what would you 
think about the idea of a new auntie ? 

Tom. (aggrieved) But you just told me n'otio think 
about it any more. 

Lady Pilkington. " Any more " ? Really, Augus- 
tus, is the boy quite right in his head ? 

Sheringham. Yes, yes. He's a little muddled, 
that's all. The fact is, Tom, Lady Pilkington and I 
are — She is going to be your new aunt, (sits r. c.) 

Lady Pilkington. Yes, Tom. Uncle Augustus and 
I are engaged to be married. 

Tom. Engaged ? (looks from one to the other tfbith 
dawning apprehension, then goes into Jits of hwghter) 

Lady Pilkington. Tom ! (rises indignant) Oh, 
you very rude little boy ! 

Sheringham. Where are your manners ? Be silent, 
sir! 

Tom. (between his gasps) Oh — I'm awfully sorry, 
only — if you only knew — it's so jolly funny. 

Lady Pilkington. What is funny? If we only 
knew what ? 

Sheringham. (in an agony) Be — be careful, sir ! 

Tom. (comprehensive glance at Sheringham) Noth- 
ing much. Only— I thought of this, before anybody. 

Lady Pilkington. (delighted) You rugue. Is 
that all ? I declare you're quite a little match-maker, 
isn't he, Augustus ? 



13 A BOW MijPOSAL. 

Sheringham. [wiping his brow) Quite. 

Lady Pilkington. And you shall be chief guest at 
our wedding. That's only fair. It's a thousand pities 
that you can't give the bride away. 

Tom. {innocently) I might give Uncle Augustus 
away though. 

Sheringham. {uneasy smile) Don't be absurd. 

{Enter Dean with tea.) 

Lady Pilkington. Ah, here is tea at last. Thank 
you, Dean, here, please, {as Dean puts tea near Lady 
Pilkington, Tom saunters carelessly round behind sofa 
in which Sheringham is seated) 

Tom. {aside to him) I say, I have got you now, 
Uncle Gus. 

Sheringham. {furiously to him) You dare to say 
a word ! 

Tom. You wait. Aren't you just jolly well on toast 
though ? 

Sheringham. Little fiend ! {he chokes) 

Lady Pilkington. {absently) What's that about 
toast ? There's a plate full here. 

Dean. Yes, m' lady. I ordered an extra supply on 
account of the little gentleman. 

Lady Pilkington. Thanks, Dean, that'll do. 

Dean. . Very good, m' lady, {exit.) 

Tom. {crossing c.) Dean seems an awfully nice 
old man, doesn't he ? 

Lady Pilkington. {smiting) You think so ? Here, 
Tom dear, take this cup to Uncle Augustus. Why ? 

Tom {taking cup to Sheringham) Oh, I don't know. 
He looks so straightforward and honest, {making faces 
at Sheringham as he hands cup) 

Lady Pilkington. {laughing) Oh, I believe he's 
quite honest. Dyou like a little cream in the tea, 
Tom ? 

Tom. Well, I, really like a little tea in the cream. 
Only I'm not allowed, {back to chair c. l. of tea-table) 

Lady Pilkington. Well, there, {putting cream in) 
Don't tell anybody. 



A BOW, I ElOfOSAL. 19 

Tom. I say, thanks awfully, (takes ted, they eat, 
Lady Pilkington, l., Tom c, Sheringham r.) 

Tom. {eating) I suppose you'll have stacks and 
stacks of presents. 

Lady Pilkington. Why do you suppose that ? 

Tom. People that don't want 'em always do. Now 
1 think — 
ILady Pilkington. Well ? 

Tom. 1 think the people that don't have the wed- 
ding ought to have the presents. 

Lady Pilkington. {amused) Oh, that's your idea, 
is it ? 

Tom. Yes. {pauses, takes more eake, looks slyly at 
Sheringham) only what are called " deserving cases " 
of course. 

Lady Pilkington. Really. For instance ? 

Tom. {airily) For instance, me. I might happen 
to want an — an air gun. 

Sheringham. {with irritation) I entirely fail to 
see what you have done to deserve one. 

Tom. Oh, it isn't only what a person does that de- 
serves. Sometimes it's what he doesn't do. 

Lady Pilkington. Doesn't do ? 

Tom. Yes, or (meaningly) doesn't say. Isn't it, 
Uncle Gus? 

Sheringham. I — I'm sure I don't know. 

Tom. As a matter of fact though, Uncle Gus was 
to give me an air gun anyhow. 

Lady Pilkington. Was he ? How very kind ! 

Sheringham. 1 — I assure you I had — 

Tom. Yes. As a deserving case. 

Sheringham. Well, perhaps, perhaps. W T e'll see! 

Tom. (dreamily) A great big proper air gun that'll 
kill things. 

Lady Pilkington. Blood-thirsty monster ! 

Tom. (all the time watching Sheringham slyly out 
of the corner of his eye) With a great, big h-u-g-e 
target. 
, Sheringham. B'rr ! (chokes into cup) 



00 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Tom. And (to Lady Pilkington) Slugs of 
course. 

Lady Pilkington. Oh, slugs of course ! 

Tom. Yes. Isn't it decent of him ? 

Lady Pilkington. But will you be allowed to have 
such murderous weapons at school? 

Tom. Rather not. They won't go to Winchelsea. 
They'll wait till the holidays. 

Lady Pilkington. (reflectively) Winchelsea ? 

Tom. Yes, That's where I'm at school you know. 
Beastly hole ! 

Lady Pilkington. I was trying to think where 
quite recently I'd seen that on an envelope. 

Tom. Whew ! (makes secret sign to Sheringham, 
rises.) 

Lady Pilkington. Oh, of course ! Why, (to Sher- 
ingham) your letter, the letter, was postmarked from 
there. 

Sheringham. Oh— er — was it ? (Tom crosses to 
arm of sofa above Sheringham) 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. What were . you doing 
at Winchelsea yesterday ? 

Sheringham. {confused) Well — er— as a matter 
of fact- 
Tom. Uncle Gus came down to see me there. 

Lady Pilkington. Oh, to see you at school ? 

Tom. (glibly) Yes. To ask if I could come up 
to town this afternoon, (to Sheringham) Didn't 
you ? (nudging him) Here, give me that cup* you'll 
drop it. (takes cup to table L. c. and returns) 

Sheringham (plunging recklessly) Yes, the fact is 

1 was dining with Mary the night before last — the 21st, 
it's their wedding day — and she happened to mention 
the lad, so I said to myself " I'll — er — I'll run down 
and look him up." 

LadY Pilkington. How like you ! To think of a 
schoolboy even at such a moment. 

Sheringham. (embarrassed) Not at all. 

Tom. (seated affectionately on the ar?n of sofa) (~)h, 
that's nothing. He's always thinking of me. He's 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 21 

thinking t of me now, aren't you, Uncle Gus? {Jeans 
towards him) 

Sheringham. Yes. {vindictively) In a way 

Lady Pilkington. But — how foolish of me — of 
course for that letter to reach me yesterday, it must 
have been posted on Thursday, 

Sheringham. {confused) Oh — was it ? 

Lady Pilkington. Surely, you ought to know. 
Then it was really the day before yesterday that you 
went to Winchelsea ? 

Sheringham. Yes. No. That is, yes : it must 
have been. 

Lady Pilkington. You seem somewhat vague 
about it. However, we can easily settle the matter. 
I have the letter here, 

{Rises and turns away from him to desk l. c. which she 
unlocks. ) 

Sheringham. {aside, agonised) Great Heavens ! 

Tom. {standing in front of sofa, aside to him) 
You've done it now. I should own up if I were you. 

Sheringham. Own up I {frenzied) It's you that 
have got to own up. I've done nothing. 

Tom. No. But it's you that'll get the row. 

Lady Pilkington. {standing by desk) Ah, here 
we are. Yes, " Winchelsea, June 21st." that proves it. 

Sheringham. Exactly. That — that proves it. 

Lady Pilkington. {coming down c. reading post- 
mark) " Collected at 10 p. m., that's strange too. 

Sheringham. {apprehensively) Why? 

Lady Pilkington. Because that evening you were 
dining in town with your sister. You told me so 
yourself. 

Sheringham. Yes. I did. {suddenly rises) An- 
nette, I give in. I fling myself on your mercy. 

Lady Pilkington. {alarmed) What do you mean ? 

Sherington. That letter — the letter you have in 
your hand. 

Lady Pilkington. Yes ? 



22 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Sheringham. {brokenly) I didn't write it. 

Lady Pilkington. (mystified) Didn't write — then 
who did ? 

Tom. (doggedly) I did. (he is between them, a 
I it tie behind) 

Lady Pilkington. You ? (to Sheringham) You 
mean that you dictated — this — to him ? 

Sheringham. No. I mean — (hopelessly) Annette ! 
Can't you understand ? 

Lady Pilkington. I'm afraid I don't. 

Tom. (interposing, eon/es down, same tone of dogged 
confession) It's all my fault. What Uncle Augustus 
really means, is that I wrote that letter, me — myself, 
without him. I did it because I thought it funny. I 
imitated his handwriting. He brought me here to 
apologise, and then afterwards he wouldn't let me, 
because — (hesitates) 

Lady Pilkington. Because — (with dawning com- 
prehension) Ah ! 

Sheringham. (imploringly) Annette ! If I could 
but persuade you to believe — 

Lady Pilkington. (sharply) Oh, if you please one 
moment! Don't speak to me just yetl (thinking) I 
see. So that was why — I see it all now. And I was 
— taken in. I believed that you — Oh, it's (tearing note 
convulsively') rather funny, isn't it ? 

Sheringham. Annette, what can I say ? 

Lady Pilkington. (hardly) Oh, there's no need 
to say anything. I quite see the — the humour of the 
situation. In a day or two I shall laugh over it as 
much as you, only — you'll give me a day or two first. 

Sheringham. (crosses l. towards her. Tom sits on 
sofa) Annette, I won't have you treating it like this. 
(earnestly) I swear to you that what I said just now 
was the truth, that I meant every word of it. I ask 
you by everything I hold most sacred, as sincerely and 
earnestly as I know how, I ask you to be my wife. 

Lady Pilkington. (trying to appear unconcerned) 
Yes. You — you couldn't well say much more than 
that, could you ? Or much less, I suppose, now ? 



A BOYS PROPOSAL. 25 

Only— you seem to forget that gentlemen don't as a 
rule remain where their presence is obviously not 
desired. 

Tom. Oh dear, that's below the belt ; because 
{rises) if you put it that way I suppose I must go. 
(up towards door, he turns as Sheringham did) But, 
{elaborate burlesque of Sheringham's farewell) under- 
stand, if I leave this house now, it's for good. You 
won't see me again. 

Lady Pilkington. I don't want to. Surely you've 
done enough already! (is turning away, puts hand- 
kerchief to eyes, almost breaks down. Tom sees this and 
his manner entirely alters. He comes quickly round L. 
so as to face her) 

Tom. (enireatingly) Oh, I say ! I'm so beastly 
sorry. Don't blub about it. I'd no idea you cared so 
much, really. Honest injun ! I hadn't, or I wouldn't 
have played the fool like that. I am a little beast. Oh, 
please, don't mind. 

Lady Pilkington. {has sunk into chair l. Holds 
his hand) There, I'm all right now. And not angry. 
How could you possibly understand ! Will you give 
me a kiss ? 

Tom. Yes. If you like, (with an effort) 

Lady Pilkington. There (clasps him in her arms) 
Now good-bye. 

Tom. I say ! You do squeeze. 

Lady Pilkington. Did I ? I'm sorry. (drying 
her eyes) You see I don't often have people to hug 
now-a-days. 

Tom. {pleasantly) And you easily get out of 
practise, don't you ? (from his position l. of Lady 
Pilkington he catches sight of Sheringham, who has 
reappeared in doorway r. c.) 

Sheringham. (loud whisper) Tom! Come here. 
(beckons) 

(Tom without altering his voice co?nes rounds. 4/" Lady 
Pilkington and with his ha/id behind him beckons 
Suerihgham forward) 



0(3 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Tom. (continuing) It's like everything else, I sup- 
pose, it wants keeping up. (Sheringham is advancing 
on tiptoe) 

Lady Pilkington {without turning) Yes. I sup- 
pose so. 

Tom. And you can't well do that sort of thing by 
yourself can you ? (Sheringham gradually advancing 
on tiptoe) 

Lady Pilkington. No. And I shall be a good 
deal by myself now. 

Tom. What you want is someone to practise with. 
(Sheringham being now near, Tom catches his hand and 
draws him close?-) 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. But who ? (feels for his 
left hand witliout looking round, pats it gently) Would 
you come sometimes ? I shall be a very lonely old 
woman now, remember. (Sheringham attentive) 

Tom. (takes her hand, draws it towards Shering- 
ham's) I might, (slyly) if Uncle would let me. 

Lady Pilkington. Uncle? 

Tom. Yes. (steps back) 

Lady Pilkington. (looks up, sees Sheringham) 
You! 

Sheringham. Yes, Annette, me. I ask your par- 
don for this second intrusion. It was — er — not alto- 
gether intentional on my part. (Tom moves dozvn r. 
and sits on sofa) 

Lady Pilkington. I thought you had gone ! 

Sheringham. Practically I had. There was some 
slight delay in finding a cab, that's all. It is waiting 
outside now. 

Lady Pilkington. Then why have you come 
back ? 

Sheringham. I was obliged to. To see what had 
become of him. 

Lady Pilkington. Him ! 

Sheringham. (points to Tom) That ! 

Lady Pilkington. (half despairingly) Oh, the 
boy. Always the boy ! 

Tom. I told you so. 



A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 27 

Sheringham. Yes. I had not intended to trouble 
you again. I meant only to beckon to him from the 
door. But, Annette — er — something drew me forward, 
and being here I couldn't help overhearing a word you 
used just now. 

Lady Pilkington. Indeed ? 

Sheringham. Yes. It's true of me too. I — er — 
felt it as soon as I got outside this room, when I was 
whistling for that confounded cab — Lonely. Annette, 
we're two lonely old people. Can't we keep each 
other company ? 

Lady Pilkington. Again ? 

Sheringham. Yes, again. Give me one more 
chance. Forget everything that's past, remember only 
that now I love you. 

Lady Pilkington. You love me ? 

Sheringham. Yes, I — I don't quite know when it 
began, but it's certainly there. Annette, putting aside 
all our mistakes and blunders, imagining that now for 
the first time I ask you, sincerely and humbly, to be 
my wife, couldn't you — consider it? 

Tom. {eagerly springing up and crossing c.) Oh, if 
you please, do for goodness' sake consider it. 

Sheringham. {furiously) Tom ! Be quiet ! 

Lady Pilkington. {stoops to embrace Tom) No. 
Don't be cross with him. That would be ungrateful. 

Sheringham. Ungrateful ! 

Lady Pilkington. Yes. Because — if — if I did con- 
sider it again, don't you see that, {looks to Sheringham) 
that it would be his doing after all ? 

Sheringham. Annette ! That means you will ? 

Lady Pilkington. {smiling) Well, he seems to 
insist upon it, doesn't he ? (Sheringham takes her 
hand fondly) 

Tom. Three cheers ! I always knew you were 
jolly keen on him, really, {slightly up c.) 

Lady Pilkington. Ridiculous boy ! But, {shyly to 
Sheringham) you're quite sure you mean it this time, 
Augustus ? 



NOV 15 1909 



28 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 

Sheringham. Mean it? My darling! {about to 
embrace /ier) 

Tom. I say, don't mind me, I've finished here ! 
(down r.) 

Lady Pilkington. Finished ? 

Tom. Yes. Half a jiff. I'm going out for a walk. 
Good-bye, Uncle Gus, {shakes hands) Goocl-bye, 
{meaningly) Aunt Annette ! And thank you very much 
for a very nice afternoon, (up stage c.) 

Sheringham. Stop, sir. Where are you going? 

Tom. (at door r. c.) Oh, that's all right. I can 
find my way. I'm going to order an air-gun (makes 
motion of shooting them. They stand backs to audience 
watching him. Exit Tom) 

CURTAIN. 



SEND FOR A NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



VOL. XLI 

321 The Pirate's Legacy 

322 The Char, oal burner 

323 AJelgitna 

3-2-1 Senur Valiente 

325 Forest Rose 

326 Duke's Daughter 

327 Camilla's Husband 
32S Pure Gold 

VOL. XLII. 

329 Ticket of Leave Man 

330 rool% Revenge 

331 UWeil the Great 

332 Handy Andy 

833 Pirate ol the Hies 

334 1- .inchon 

335 Little Barefoot 

336 Wild Irish Girl 

VOL. XLIIL 
837 Pearl of Savoy 

338 Dead Heart 

339 Ten Nights in a Bar-room 

340 Dumb Boy of Manchester 

341 BelphegortheMounteb'k 

342 Cricket on the Hearth 

843 Printer's Devil 

844 Meg's Diversion 



(French's Standard Drama Continued from 2d page of Cover.) 



VOL. XLIV 

345 Drunkard's Doom 

346 Chimney Corner 

iit Fifteen Years. .fa Drunk 

348 No Thoroughfare | ard'i 

349 Peep O' Day L^ife 

350 Everybody's Friend 

351 Gen. Grant 

352 Kathleen Mavourneen 

VOL. XLV. 

353 Nick Whiffles 

354 Fruits of the Wine Cup 
35o Drunkard's Warning 

356 Temperance Doctor 

357 Aunt Dinah 

358 Widow Freeheart 

359 Frou Frou 

360 Long Strike 

VOL. XLVI. 

361 Larcers 

362 Lu' ille 

363 Randall's Thumb 

364 Wicked World 

365 Two Orphans 

366 Colleen Bnwn 

367 'Twixt Axe and Crown 
36» Lady Claucarthy 



VOL. XLVU. 

369 Saratoga 

370 Never Too Late to Mend 

371 Lily of France 

372 Led Astray 

373 Henry V 

374 Unequal Match 

.75 May or Dolly's Delusion 
.'.76 Allatoona 

VOL. XLVIII. 
377 Enoch Arden 
37? Under the Gas Light 

379 Daniel Rochat 

380 Caste 
3?1 School 

382 Home 

383 David Garrick 

384 Ours 

VOL. XLIX. 

385 Social Glass 

386 Daniel Druce 

387 Two Roses 
38* Adrienne 

389 The Bells 

390 Uncle 
Courtship 

392 Not Such a Fool 



VOL. L. 

393 Fine Feathers 

394 Prompter's Box 

395 Iron Muster 

396 Engaged 

9T Pygmalion & Galatea 
•wo Leah 
199 Scrap of Paper 

400 Lost in London 

VOL. LI. 

401 Octoroon 

402 Confederal Spy 

403 Mariner's Return 
40i Ruined by Drink 
405 Dreams 

4l>6 M. P. 

407 War 

408 Birth 
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409 Nightingale 

410 Progress 

411 Play 

412 Midnight Charge 

413 Confidential Clerk 

414 Snowball 

415 Our Regimen* 

416 Married for Money 
Hamlet in Three Acts 
Guttle A Gulpit 



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A PAIR OF SPECTACLES. Comedy In 3 Acts 
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THE GLASS OP FASHION-. An original com- 
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THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy in 3 Acts by J. 

H. DaRm.ey and Manvillk Fenn. 6 male, 4 female 

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Shirley. 7 male, 3 female characters. 
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1 male, 1 female character. 
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5 male, 2 female characters. 



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(French's Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) 



VOL. XLII. 

329 As Like as Two Peas 

330 Presumptive Evidence 

331 Happv Band 

332 Tin afore 

333 Mock Trial 

334 Mv Uncle's W r ill 

335 Happy J a>r 

rAWW s Wt Af 6 W, rnNfcXt 



VOL. XLI. 

321 Adventures of a Lov< 

322 ost Child [Lettei 

323 Court Tards 

324 Cox and Box 

325 1'drtv Winks 

326 Wonderful Woman 

327 ( uriotis Case 



VOL. XLIIL 
337 Sunset 

m:;S For Haifa Million 
339 C ble Car 
.:40 Early Bird 

341 Alumni Hay 

342 Show of Hands 

343 Barbara 

344 Who's Who 



VOL. XT-tV. 
346 Who's To Win Him 

346 Which i, Whkh 

347 Cup of Tea 

ZM Sarah's Young Man 
344 Henrts 

350 In Honor Bound [Law 

351 Freezing a Mother-in 

352 My Lord in Livery 



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, VOL. I. 

1 Ion 

2 Fazio 

3 The Lady of Lyons 

4 Richelieu 
6 The Wife 

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7 The School lor Scandal 

8 Money 

VOL. II. 

9 The Stranger 

10 Grandfather Whitehead 

11 Richard III 

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13 The Gamester 

14 A Cure for the Heartach. 

15 The Hunchback 

16 Don Caesar de Bazan 

VOL. III. 

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19 Charles II 

20 Venice Preserved 

21 Pizarro 

22 The Love Chase 

23 Othello 

24 Lend me Five Shillings 

VOL. IV. 

25 Virginius 

26 King of the Commons 

27 London Assurance 

28 The Rent Day 

1 29 Two Gentlemen ofVerona 

30 The Jealous Wife 

31 The Rivals 

32 Perfection 

VOL. V. [Debts 

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34 Look Before You Leap 

35 King John 

86 Nervous Man 

37 Damon and Pvthias 

38 Clandestine Marriage 
89 William Tell 

40 Day after the Wedding 

VOL. VI. 

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43 Feudal Times 

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47 Iron Chest [Fair Lady 

48 Faint Heart Never Woii 

VOL. VII. 

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51 Temper 
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53 Bertram 

54 The Duenna 

65 Much Ado About Nothing 

66 The Critic 

VOL. VIII. 

67 The Apostate 

68 Twelfth Night 

69 Brutus 

80 Simpson & Co 

61 Merchant of Venice 

62 Old Heads* Young Hearts 

63 Mountaineers [riage 

64 Three Weeks after Ma 

VOL. IX. 

65 Love 

66 As You Like It 

67 The Elder Brother 

68 Werner 

69 Gisippus 

70 Town and Country 

71 King Lear 

72 Blue Devils 

VOL. X. 

73 Henry VIII 

74 Married and Single 

75 Henry IV 

76 Paul Pry 

77 Guy Mannering 

78 Sweethearts and Wives 

79 Serious Family 

80 She Stoops to Conquer 



VOL. XL 
SI Julius Csesar 

82 Vicar of Wakefield 

83 Leap Year 

84 The Catspaw 

b5 The Passing Cloud 
bfi Drunkard 

87 Rob Roy 

88 George Barnwell 

VOL. XII. 

89 Ingomar 
90Skeiches in India 
91 Two Friends 

9; Jane Shore 

93 Corsican Brothers 

1<4 Mind your own Business 

95 Writing on the Wall 

96 Heir at Law 

VOL. XIII. 

97 Soldier's Daughter 
9i Douglas 

99 Marco Spada 

100 Nature's Nobleman 

101 Sardanapalus 

102 Civilization 
The Robbers 

104 Katharine and Petruchio 
VOL. XIV. 

105 Game of Love 

106 Midsummer Night's 

07 Ernestine [Dream 

108 Rag Picker of Paris 
09 Flying Dutchman 
110 Hypocrite 

1 Therese 
112LaTourdeNesle 
VOL. XV. 

113 Ireland As It Is 

114 Sea of Ice 

115 Seven Clerks 

116 Game of Life 

117 Forty Thieves 

118 Bryan Boroihme 

119 Romance and Reality 

120 Ugolino 

VOL. XVI. 

121 The Tempest 

122 The Pilot 

123 Carpenter of Rouen 
1 4 King's Rival 

1 25 Little Treasure 

126 Donibey and Son 

12" Parents and Guardians 
118 Jewess 

VOL. XVII. 

129 Camille 

130 Married Life 

131 Wenlock of Wenlock 

132 Rose of Etlrickvale 

133 David Copperfield 

134 Aline, or the Rose of 

135 Pauline [Killarney 

136 Jane Eyre 
VOL. XVIII. 

137 Night and Morning 
"" jEthiop 

139 Three Guardsmen 

140 Tom Cringle 

141 Henriette, the Forsaken 

142 Eustache Baudin 

143 Ernest Maltravers 

144 Bold Dragoons 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Dred, or the Dismal 

[Swamp 

146 Last Days of Pompeii 

147 Esmeralda 

148 Peter WilHns 

149 Ben the Boatswain 

150 Jonathan Bradford 

151 Retribution 

152 Minerali 

VOL. XX. 

1 53 French Spv 

154 Wept of Wish-ton Wish 

155 Evil Genius 

156 Ben Bolt 

157 Sailor of France 

158 Red Mask 
169 Life of an Actress 
160 Wedding Day 



VOL. XXI. 



lfil All's Fair in Love 

162 Hofer 

163 Self 

164 Cinderella 

165 Phantom 

166 Franklin [Moscow 

167 The Gunmaker of 

168 The Love of a Prince 

VOL. XXII. 

169 Son of the Night 

170 RoryO' More 

171 Golden Eagle 
"72 Rienzi 

173 Broken Sword 

174 Rip Van Winkle 

175 Isabelle 

176 Heart of Mid Lothian 

VOL. XXUI. 

177 Actress of Padua 

178 bloating Beacon 

79 Bride of Lammermoor 

80 Cataract of the Ganges 
1H1 Robber of the Rhine 
IS'-.' School ot Reform 

83 Wandering Boys 
S4 Mazeppa 

VOL. XXIV. 
185 Young New York 
86 The Victims 

187 Romance after Marriage 

188 Brigand 

189 Poor of New York 

190 Ambrose Gwinett 
Raymond and Agnes 

192 Gambler's Fate 
VOL. XXV. 

193 Father and Son 

194 M:issaniello 

195 Sixteen String Jack 

196 Youthtul Queen 

197 Skeleton Witness 

198 Innkeeper of Abbeville 

199 Miller and his Men 

200 Aladdin 
VOL. XXVT. 

201 Adrienne the Actress 

202 Undine 

203 Jesse Brown 

204 Asmodeus 
•;05 Mormons 

206 Blanche of Brandywine 
2UT Viola 

208 Deseret Deserted 
VOL. XXVII. 

209 Americans in Paris 

210 Victorine 

211 Wizard of the Wave 

212 Castle Spectre, 

213 Horse-shoe Robinson 
2K Armand, Mrs. Mowatt 
21 i Fashion, Mrs. Mowatt 

216 Glance at New York 

vol. xxvm. 

217 Inconstant 

218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 

219 Guide to the Stage 

220 Veteran 
2-21 Miller of New Jersey 

222 Dark Hour before Dawn 

223 Midsum'rNight'sDrean 
[Laura Keene's Editioi 

224 Art and Artifice 
VOL. XXIX. 

225 Poor Young Man 

226 Ossawattomie Brown 

227 Pope of Rome 

228 Oliver Twist 
2'i9 Pauvrette 

230 Man in the Iron Mask 

231 Knight of Arva 

232 Moll Pitcher 

VOL. XXX. 

233 Black Eyed Susan 
284 Satan in Paris 

235 Rosina Meadows [ess 

236 West End, or Irish Heir 

237 Six Degrees of Crime 

238 The Lady and the Devil 

239 A veneer, or Moor of Sici 

240 Masks and Faces [ly|320 Jonathan in England 



VOL. XXXI. 

41 Merry Wives ot Windsor 
242 Mary's birthday 
V4 .: Shandy Maguire 
:'44 Wild Oats 

'45 Michael Erie 

46 Idiot Witness 

247 Willow Copse 

248 People's Lawver 
VOL. XXXII. 

The Boy Martyrs 

250 Lucretia Borgia 

251 Surgeon of Paris 

252 Patrician's Daughte* 

253 Shoemaker of Toul use 

254 Momentous Question 

255 Love and Loyalty 

256 Robber's Wife 
VOL. XXXIII. 

257 Dumb Girl of Genoa 
2 8 Wreck Ashore 

259 Clari 

260 Rural Felicity 

261 Wallace 
Madelaine 

263 The Fireman 

264 Grist to the Mill 
VOL. XXXIV. 

65 Two Loves and a Life 
266 Annie Blake. 

67 Steward 
^68 Captain Kyd 
269 Nick of the Woods 
2'0 Marble Heart 

271 Second Love 

272 Dream at Sea 

Vol. xxxv. 

273 Breach of Promise 

274 Review 

275 Lady of the Lake 

276 Still Water Runs Deep 
•277 The Scholar 

278 Helping Hands 

279 Faust and Marguerite 

280 Last M:.n 

vol. xxxvr. 

281 Belle's Stratagem 

282 Old and Young 

283 Raffaella 

284 Ruth Oakley 

285 British Sir ve 
256 A Life's Hansom 
287 Giralda 
28 Time Tries All 

VOL. XXXVII. 

289 Ella Rosenl.urg 

290 Warlock of the Glen 

291 Zelina 

292 Beatrice 
2v-3 Neighbor Jackwood 

294 Wonder 

295 Robert Emmet 

296 Green Bushes 
VOL. XXXVTIT. 

297 Flowers ol the Forest 

298 A Bachelor of Arts 

299 The Midnight Banquet 

300 Husband of in Hour 

301 Love's Labor Lost 

302 Naiad Queen 
3U.3 Caprice 

304 Cradle of Liberty 
VOL. XXXIX. 

305 The Lost Ship 

306 Country Squire 

307 Fraud and its Victims 

308 Putnam 

309 King and Deserter 

310 La F aniiuina 

311 A Hard Struggle 

312 Gwinnette Vaughan 
VOL. XL. 

313 The Love Knot [Judge 

314 Lavater, or Not a Bad 

315 The Noble Heart 

316 Corioianus 

317 The Winter's Tale 

318 Eveleen Wilson 
1319 Ivanhoe 



(French's Standard Drama Continued on id page of Cover.) 



SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d Street, New York City. 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request. 



I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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